film: A Series of Unfortunate Events

Jerman's Rating: 2 steps forward and 2 steps back. The film will be enjoyed most by people 10-12 and older (the ages of the main characters). Defcon 2 for bad examples, scariness, a few deaths.

The thing that bugged me most during the re-watch was that the villain was the comic relief. Above all characters he made people laugh the most- which means he and his actions were glorified. *spoilers*Count Olaf killed several people, even if not shown, and always gets away with it. He burns down a house killing two, tries to and nearly kills the main characters using a train, ties one guy to the front of a train (he is shown), poisons another, feeds one to flesh-eating leeches, and is ready to drop an infant to her death. Its all done with an air of comedy (not the Looney Toons kind) never letting it have the gravity it deserves. Well- its not that he's glorified, it that he isn't demonized.

Granted, most the morals are provided just at the end, not quite afterthoughts, there are other good morals woven through like: sticking together, using your talents, "there's always something you can do."

There is an interesting interaction between the adults and adolescents, which is kind of cute and sometimes accurate and always appealing the the younger generation. It seems the adults can never make a decision without an error in judgment, have their eyes half closed, and are largely oblivious. They certainly do not know what it best. The two adolescents are full of wisdom, and would be quite fine on their own if only they could find a competent adult.

This film succeeded where many other films failed and I love this movie for that: it felt like reading a book while watching it, it's quality and 'feeling' was very unique and very enjoyable. Jim Carrey did take over the movie, and if it wasn't for the absence of his demonization it would be a fantastic film.